Tell us what you think

We welcome your views on our website and invite you to take part in a brief survey when you've finished your visit.

Your response will help us improve the site and the experience we offer to visitors.

We use cookies to help provide the best experience on our website. We do this by tracking how the website is used and when appropriate remembering your preferences. If you continue, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Spire Healthcare website.

Tonsillectomy for adults

Your tonsils are lumps of tissue at the back of your throat. Sometimes they get enlarged and infected - called tonsillitis - resulting in a sore throat. The operation to remove the tonsils, called a tonsillectomy, is often performed because of frequent bouts of tonsillitis.

Your tonsils are involved in fighting infection but aren’t essential to health. If you have frequent - typically more than four times a year - sore throats due to infected tonsils, your doctor might suggest having them removed.

Sometimes people have breathing problems because of swollen tonsils and need them removed. Rarely, a tonsillectomy might be performed because of cancer.

A fixed price for this treatment may be available on enquiry and following an initial consultation.

You can trust Spire Gatwick Park Hospital to provide you with a single, fixed price1 so there are no surprises. And, through our carefully chosen partner2 you can even be considered for interest free finance.1Important: Please read Spire Healthcare's terms and conditions for full details of what’s included and excluded in your fixed price* when paying for yourself. 2 Spire Healthcare Limited is acting as a credit broker to Zebra Health Finance Limited. Company No. 09406708. Registered at 1 Worsley Court, High Street, Worsley, Manchester, M28 3NJ. www.zebrahealthfinance.com Zebra Health Finance Limited is a appointed representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited and Shawbrook Bank Limited is the lender. Spire Healthcare Ltd does not receive payment for arranging credit. All parties named here are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Credit acceptance is subject to application and status. Terms and conditions apply.

Our patients are at the heart of what we do and we want you to be in control of your care. To us, that means you can choose the consultant you want to see, and when you want. They'll be with you every step of the way.

All of our consultants are of the highest calibre and benefit from working in our modern, well-equipped hospitals.

Our consultants have high standards to meet, often holding specialist NHS posts and delivering expertise in complex sub-specialty surgeries. Many of our consultants have international reputations for their research in their specialised field.

We understand that having surgery can potentially be a time of anxiety and worry. Our experienced and caring medical staff will be there for you, holding your hand, every step of the way.

During a tonsillectomy, your mouth is held open so the surgeon can see into your throat. The surgeon usually removes the tonsils with special scissors and uses dissolvable stitches to close the wound and stop the bleeding.

The operation usually lasts about 30 minutes and is performed under general anaesthetic. This means you'll be asleep throughout the procedure and will not feel pain.

In some cases, diathermy may be used. Diathermy means using heated instruments to remove the tissue and seal the wounds.

A tonsillectomy is usually performed as a day case, but you may need to stay overnight in hospital. After the procedure, you will be taken from the operating theatre to a recovery room, where you will come round from the anaesthesia under close supervision.

After this, you will be taken to your room or comfortable area where you can rest and recuperate until we feel you’re ready to go home.

Pain relief

To start with, your throat, ears or both will be sore and your jaw may feel stiff. You may require painkillers, which can usually be taken every four to six hours. Please discuss any discomfort you have with your doctors or nurses.

Recovery time

Sometimes patients can experience bleeding that starts soon after the operation. This is called secondary haemorrhage and can be a result of infection. While you're with us, your nurse will watch you closely after the operation for any signs of this. You'll probably be advised to lie on your side so that any bleeding from the throat can be detected. Your nurse will also look out for you swallowing more than usual, as this can be a sign of bleeding in the throat.

You'll have a very sore throat and possibly an earache. These symptoms may last for up to two weeks. You may have bad breath for a few days, which should go away quickly.

It will probably be difficult to eat and drink right after having a tonsillectomy as it might hurt to swallow. You should start with soft foods - such as porridge and jelly - and drink often. Try to start eating solid foods as quickly as you can because it will help your throat heal faster.

If you have a sore throat or earache, you should take the painkillers that will be prescribed at the hospital. Make sure you follow the instructions on the packaging. Taking a dose half an hour before meals may help to make eating more comfortable. You may also be prescribed a course of antibiotics. Please take these as recommended, remembering to complete the whole course, even if you feel completely well. You should stay at home for seven to 14 days after the operation. Where possible, avoid contact with people who have colds, coughs or other infections. You should also avoid strenuous activities during this time. Complete recovery can take two weeks.

How your loved ones can help

Once you’re ready to be discharged from hospital, you’ll need to arrange a taxi, friend or family member to take you home as you won’t be able to drive.

Looking after you

Even after you’ve left hospital, we’re still looking after you every step of the way.

Typically your consultant will want to see you after your treatment to see how you’re doing; a date for follow-up appointment will be given to you before you leave the hospital.

Tonsillectomy is a very common procedure and specific complications are uncommon.

Sometimes bleeding can occur up to a week after the operation. If you develop any of the following symptoms - persistent or and increase bleeding, the inability to drink normally which can lead to dehydration and / or a high temperature - please call us straight away.

We will talk to you about the possible risks and complications of having this procedure.

We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.

Make an enquiry

38736

True

treatment

Contact us to request...

Type the detail of your enquiry

Select a hospital

Title

First name

Surname

Date of birth

Email address

Confirm email address

Phone number

Postcode

Marketing Information

Spire would like to provide you with marketing information about products and services offered by Spire and by selected third-party partners. If you do not consent for us to process your personal data for marketing activities, we will still be able to contact you about your enquiry.

We may contact you by email, SMS or phone about your enquiry. If we try to contact you by phone (mobile and/or landline) and you are not available, we may leave you a voicemail message. We may also use your details to contact you about patient surveys we use for improving our service or monitoring outcomes, which are not a form of marketing.

Thank you for your enquiry

Important to note

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.